The U.S. premiere of Peter Whelan's The School of Night, the Elizabethan-set murder mystery about playwright Christopher Marlowe, begins Oct. 30, continuing to Dec. 17, at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles.

Bill Alexander directs the production for Center Theatre Group, which produces and presents at Ahmanson Theatre, Mark Taper and the Kirk Douglas in L.A. This production is presented in association with Mike Merrick and Edward Rissien. Official opening is Nov. 9.

According to CTG, "Modern conspiracy theories may surround the assassination of John F. Kennedy, but in the late 16th century it was the murder of Christopher Marlowe that had England buzzing. While Elizabeth I was on the throne, the young 29-year-old playwright was brutally and mortally stabbed through the eye. Was it a mere pub brawl? Or was Marlowe killed because he was a confessed atheist? Flagrant homosexual? Traitor? Sometimes double-agent and spy? A member of the secret society, 'The School of Night'? In this gripping mystery thriller William Shakespeare, Thomas Kyd, Sir Walter Raleigh and nearly everyone else are suspects and everyone has a hidden agenda."

The creative team includes set designer Simon Higlet, costume designer Robert Perdziola, lighting designer Russell H. Champa, sound designer Cricket S. Myers and composer Ilona Sekacz. Casting is by Erika Sellin and the production stage manager is David S. Franklin.